Hasidim - Economy

Commercial Activities.
As with other activities in the Hasidic world, employment is balanced
on the scale of Religious values. Hasidic Jews do not pursue
occupational careers as is the norm in Western culture, but organize
their livelihood so that it does not interfere with their religious
obligations, such as refraining from work on the Sabbath and major
Jewish holidays. As a rule, following their yeshiva studies but
sometimes concurrent with them, young men usually learn a trade or
business, or are taken into a family business if conditions permit. Most
Hasidim are skilled workers and are employed in various facets of the
diamond industry, particularly in the New York area, but also hold such
jobs as electricians, carpenters, wholesalers, operators of small
businesses, and manufacturers. Many as well are employed in
religious-oriented occupations and serve as religious teachers, ritual
slaughterers, overseers of food products requiring rabbinical
supervision, scribes for religious letters and documents, and the
manufacturers of religious articles such as phylacteries, prayer shawls,
and
mezzuzoths.
To better control their hours of employment so as to meet their
religious obligations, Hasidim prefer either to be self-employed or to
work for an Orthodox Jew who will be sympathetic to their religious
requirements. While the number of business enterprises in the Hasidic
community is increasing, the professional class remains very small since
Hasidim restrict secular educational opportunities for their members.
Since in only the rarest of cases do Hasidim attend college or
university, professionals among the Hasidim received their secular
training prior to affiliating with the Hasidic community.

Division of Labor.
Attitudes toward women working outside the home have undergone
modification. As the value of conspicuous consumption has taken root
among young married couples, it is generally expected that in the
absence of small children at home a woman ought to be employed. Aside
from serving as teachers in their own schools, women are Usually
employed in some secretarial capacity in small businesses.